The Ultimate Creamy Mashed Potatoes

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Aug 9

Written By Anadi Misra

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Easy creamy and buttery mashed potatoes are the perfect side to go with comforting main dishes at any time of the year! Christmas, Thanksgiving, these creamy mashed potatoes are going to blow you away!

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

The holidays wouldn’t be the holidays without seeing a giant bowl of mashed potatoes, waiting to be devoured.

When I came to Canada, I was in awe of perfect mashed potatoes that were served at family gatherings. The fluff, the butter, the creaminess. Me being me, as much as I appreciate others cooking for me, I can’t wait for the holidays to roll around to be served mashed potatoes. I gotta make these bad boys for myself, and for no particular occasion! When I want to eat something, I go ahead and make it!

To me, a perfect homemade mashed potato is what completes a comforting meal. I’ve loved potatoes all my life - in fact, as a kid, that’s one of the only things I’d eat - so I take my mashed potatoes seriously. It’s taken me quite a bit of experimenting to figure out how to make the best mashed potatoes to share with you, but when I made this particular batch, I knew this recipe came to me straight from heaven! Now it’s time for you to make them and enjoy!

What Goes in Homemade Mashed Potatoes?

Potatoes: Well, you can’t have mashed potatoes without potatoes! I use Yukon gold potatoes. Use the best potatoes you can find. No bruises, bumps, gross skin… You want your potato to be firm without bumps and to have a lovely yellow colour!
Unsalted butter: I always like to use unsalted butter to control the amount of salt I add to my mashed potatoes.
Half and half cream: The key to making the potatoes creamy!
Salt and pepper: To taste.

That’s it! Such a short list of ingredients, but together they make a mighty fine delight!

How to Make Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Boiling the Potatoes

Before boiling your potatoes using either method, be sure to thoroughly rinse your potatoes to remove any dirt.

On the Stove Top

In a pot or saucepan, add enough water to fit the potatoes. Bring the water up to a boil and season with salt

Add the potatoes and lower heat to medium. Boil potatoes uncovered for 15- 30 minutes, depending on the size of your potatoes.

To check if the potatoes are cooked, insert a fork or knife through the thickest part of the potato. If it inserts easily, the potatoes are cooked.

Instant Pot

Insert the trivet in the Instant Pot and place the potatoes on the trivet. Pour 1/4 to 1/3 cup of water over the potatoes.

Close the Instant Pot and ensure the Instant Pot is in Sealing mode. Select the Steam setting and cook for 12 minutes, allowing for the pressure to release naturally.

Once the pressure has released, remove the lid. Insert a fork to check if the potatoes are completely cooked.

To Prepare the Mashed Potatoes

Once the potatoes have finished cooking, peel them and add them to a large bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer. I’ll be using a stand mixer.

Lightly mash the potatoes and add the butter and start the mixer at the lowest speed. Start pouring the cream to the bowl and keep mixing on the lowest speed (if using a hand mixer or a large whisk, start whisking as you pour the butter) until potatoes are creamy and smooth.

Once the potatoes have reached a creamy consistency, season with salt and pepper and continue whisk at medium speed. This will help incorporate some air and make them fluffier.

How Can You Enhance Mashed Potatoes?

There are a lot of ways to make mashed potatoes even better. My favourite toppings include:

Cajun Mashed Potatoes a simple variation with my Amazing Homemade Cajun Seasoning.
Loaded Mashed Potatoes Bacon bits with all the works, old cheddar cheese or Parmesan, bacon bits and lots of chives.
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes with a slow roasted head of garlic, roughly chopped and mixed with the butter and cream.

Watch How to Make The Ultimate Creamy Mashed Potatoes Here:

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Sides, Potatoes

American

Yield: 3 Cups

Author: Anadi

Indulge in the Creamiest Mashed Potatoes Ever for Thanksgivinghttps://youtu.be/y9SG-D8n8wkUltimate Creamy Mashed Potatoes is an easy recipe on how to make fluffy mashed potatoes every time! This video will show you how to make mashed potatoes with Yukon gold potatoes. This basic buttery mashed potatoes recipe will keep the mashed potatoes as the simple classic we all know and love to enjoy on the side! Creamy mashed potatoes are the perfect base for you to top it off however you want, and makes for easy Thanksgiving sides! I'm topping mine with green onions and sour cream. After nailing your basic mashed potatoes, then feel free to go crazy with all sorts of awesome toppings such as bacon and cheese!2021-03-08

The Ultimate Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Easy creamy and buttery mashed potatoes are the perfect side to go with comforting main dishes at any time of the year! Christmas, Thanksgiving, these creamy mashed potatoes are going to blow you away!

Prep time: 8 MinCook time: 25 MinTotal time: 33 Min

Cook ModePrevent screen from turning off

Ingredients

3 Yukon Gold or Yellow Potatoes (about 550 g)
2 1/2 Tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 Cup 10% half and half cream
salt and pepper to taste

Optional toppings

butter
sour cream
fresh chopped parsley

Instructions

To boil the potatoes (stove top version)

Thoroughly rinse potatoes and scrub any dirt off.
In a pot or saucepan, add enough water to fit the potatoes. Bring the water up to a boil and season with salt
Add the potatoes and lower heat to medium. Boil potatoes uncovered for 15- 30 minutes, depending on the size of your potatoes.
To check if the potatoes are cooked, insert a fork or knife through the thickest part of the potato. If it inserts easily, the potatoes are cooked.

To boil the potatoes (Instant Pot version)

Thoroughly rinse potatoes and scrub any dirt off.
Insert trivet in the Instant Pot and place potatoes on trivet
Pour between 1/4 to 1/3 cups of water over potatoes.
Close lid and ensure Instant Pot is in Sealing Mode.
Select Steam setting and cook for 12 minutes, let pressure release naturally.
Try inserting a fork or knife to ensure the centre of the potatoes are cooked.

To prepare the mashed potatoes

Once the potatoes are done cooking, peel them and add to a large bowl, or to the bowl of a stand mixer.
Lightly mash the potatoes and add the butter and start the mixer at the lowest speed. Start pouring the cream to the bowl and keep mixing on the lowest speed (if using a hand mixer or a large whisk, start whisking as you pour the butter) until potatoes are creamy and smooth.
Once the potatoes have reached a creamy consistency, season with salt and pepper and continue whisk at medium speed. This will help incorporate some air and make them fluffier.
Correct for seasoning and top with extra butter, sour cream and fresh parsley as desired.

Notes

While boiling potatoes on the stove top, you run the risk of boiling it for too long. This will clog the potatoes with water, resulting in watery mashed potatoes. Check every 2-3 minutes after the 15 minute mark.If potatoes are 250 g in weight, increase cooking time by 2-3 minutes, if 300-350 g, increase cooking time by 4-6 minutes and so on.In case potatoes are raw in the centre, pricking potatoes with a fork can help with an even cook